Valentine’s Day May Not Be as Good as it Seems

Aah, Valentine’s Day. The day full of hearts and pink and balloons. Flowers, chocolates, cheesy pickup lines and love songs filling the radio. You have prepared. You have got everything worked out.

What you were not expecting, however, was the cost.

“Oh, well,” you say. “It’s no trouble, really. I love them. That’s what matters, right?”

Well, that is  good and all, but let us look at the bigger picture, shall we? Valentine’s Day is renowned as one of the most capitalized holidays. It is arguably one of the most popular, as it is one of the few that is set up in stores months before it occurs. Retailers slowly jack up prices on the most commonly bought items.

“Well, yeah,” you argue, your voice wavering with uncertainty. “Money can’t buy love, right? Our feelings is what’s really important today.”

Oh, really? There is obviously a lovely reason as to why you cannot show your love the other 364 days (or 365, depending) of the year. Nevermind the fact that if you are planning on having a nice date night, you had better plan it months in advance, as even the more casual restaurants are packed.

“That’s fine,” you say, unsure of your plans for a spontaneous dinner. “We’ll just have a nice, relaxing day in.”

Well, have you told your significant other that? They may feel pressure to get a better gift to make up for the lack of the romantic experience. You, of course, will feel obligated to get a few more gifts on the way home to make up for it, just in case they get something better than what you planned. Then your prices will be matched. What a nice, low pressure environment. Stress? What stress?

“Okay, well it’s still a holiday centered around the amazing feeling of love, right?” you claim, a little desperately now. “What could possibly be wrong with that?”

Well, nothing really. Except, of course, the mass increase in consumerism and the vast number of societal and economic impacts based on every move you make. Let us map it out a bit, shall we?

Let us say that you decide to go with a lovely piece of jewelry. Whether it be a necklace, ring, or bracelet, an estimated 34 million tons of mine waste is produced to procure the materials needed for those little material items that will most definitely not be forgotten in the bottom of a jewelry box sometime next year.

“What about flowers? Nothing can be wrong with flowers, right?” you exclaim, panicked. “Those are all natural!”

True, but roses, the most popular flower given today, are best grown in warmer climates. Those red beauties you have there? Probably flown in from a warmer country.

“They’re so fresh and beautiful! How come they have not wilted yet?” you ask.

That is because they are shipped here, on planes or on boats and that process burns up fossil fuels that are better used somewhere else. Multiply that by the 100 million roses estimated to be given out today and you have a moderate environmental problem on your hands.

“So, no roses then,” you say, trying to appease the disembodied voice telling you why you are wrong about everything. “I’ll just get them a different type of flower. Oh! Or a big teddy bear to make up for it!”

Different flowers? Sure! Make sure you do not get lillies though. Typically best known as a funeral flower, they are not too romantic. Oh and if they have cats? No lilies for them at all. Nearly everything about lilies is poisonous to their feline friend. From the physical flower, to exposure to their pollen, even the water they sit in can kill your kitty. After exposure, there is about a 10 percent chance Snowball will come out alright.

As for the big ol’ teddy bear? Well, it is very cute and everything, but not practical, especially for an individual who is older. It takes up unnecessary space on public transit and can clog up the bus or subway faster. After you get it home, there is still the problem with finding a place for it to live afterwards and it is highly doubted that you will appreciate it living in the bottom of your closet after the first month.

And to expand the web of capitalism even further, over the next few months after that famous February day, sales in fertility and pregnancy tests spike. Let us just say that it is not a coincidence that a lot of babies are born in the fall.

“Wow, okay, gross,” you say, obviously not having thought of the consequences of Valentine’s Day whims. “What about society then? You mentioned that before.”

Well, thank you for reminding this certain disembodied voice! Valentine’s Day can have a negative effect on personal relationships and can enforce dangerous and dehumanizing gender stereotypes.

Most feel obligated to go above and beyond for their special someone, as a calm date in watching a movie is not deemed as flashy enough. Most affection is genuine, but some is manufactured and fake, and done to outdo others. Some feel obligated to propose before the time is right. And of course, deep down, it causes us to be expectant about getting: money, affection, gifts. Lust is mistaken for love.

Men are often expected to perform better, often spending hundreds more than female counterparts. Women, on the other hand, may feel pressured to “put out” (so to speak) in compensation for the gift instead of letting things come naturally, which can lead to negative mental side effects.

Singles can feel pressured to find a relationship. Nationally, suicide rates are higher, as the constant surrounding happiness and flashy displays of affection can intensify depressive thoughts. It is also known as National Breakup Day, for old couples and new couples alike.

So yes, while everything may seem fine and dandy, remember that things for others may not be as good as they are for you. Make sure that your relationship is a healthy one, and if you feel an obligation to do anything that you are not comfortable with, tell your significant other, and be sure they know they can come to you as well. Do not spend more money on things that they would not appreciate as much as a nice evening with you. Be sure no pressure is put on any part of your relationship just because of a holiday. Remember the true message behind it. Stay safe, everyone, and enjoy it for what it is.